The Bravery is yet another band from New York City where the hype surrounding them precedes their major label debut. The Bravery is clearly following the trend of 80's influenced dance-rock music that has impacted the mainstream in the last year with the radio and commercial success of label-mates The Killers and other notables like Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. There was actually a reported feud between The Bravery and The Killers when the vocalist for The Killers said that The Bravery would not exist without The Killers. Sure, the sounds here are similar to The Killers, but let's face the facts; The Killers are not exactly the most original band in music either. The Bravery owe a huge debt to Depeche Mode, The Cure, and New Order for their synth-heavy sound, not The Killers.
The self-titled debut from The Bravery is certainly a release that is harmless and somewhat fun, but is ultimately unsatisfying. Sure, there are a few moments of undeniable pop music greatness, notably the bouncy "Fearless" and the absurdly catchy refrain of "Stop, drop and roll, you're on fire" in "Public Service Announcement." However, much of the rest of the album is hookless and unmemorable, which is unforgivable considering the type of music The Bravery chooses to play.
It is hard to judge the intentions of a band, but considering that vocalist and primary songwriter Sam Endicott used to sing for a band called Skabba the Hut, there seems to be some justification for accusing The Bravery of jumping on a trend. The photos in the booklet capture a band that seems to be begging to fit an image. Pompadours, mascara, oversized sunglasses, and eyeliner abound. The Bravery has nostalgia and a few good songs on its side, but is a band that will be forgotten as soon as the hype dies down. Personally, if I ever feel the urge for this style of music, I'll put in Franz Ferdinand or The Cure any day.
2/4
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